Aces End Regular Season with 4-3 Win in Ontario

March 31, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


The Alaska Aces outlasted the Ontario Reign for a 4-3 win on Saturday night in a hard-fought regular season finale at the Citizen Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California. The Aces finished the 2012-2013 campaign with a league-best record of 49-15-8. They earned 106 points on the year for their second highest total in club history, and the most by any ECHL team since the 2007-2008 season. Alaska ended the season series with a 5-1-2 record against Ontario. The Aces now begin the 2013 Kelly Cup Playoffs with the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the expansion San Francisco Bulls next weekend. Games 1 & 2 are at Sullivan Arena on Friday, April 5th and Saturday, April 6th at 7:15pm AKT. Tickets are now available at the Aces office, Sullivan Arena Box Office, Fred Meyer locations or online at www.ticketmaster.com. All Aces games can be heard on NewsTalk 103.7FM and 750AM KFQD. For more information, please contact the Aces office at 907.258.ACES, or visit them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.

The opening period was once again an extremely physical start featuring multiple scrums, penalties and fights. Alaska struck first scoring 3:23 into the game one a beautiful rush into the zone by Zach Harrison. Harrison finished off a big frame with his second of the night at 9:49 after Garry Nunn intercepted a pass from Reign goaltender J.F. Berube, and found Harrison who scored before Berube could get back into position. The Reign got on the board on their second two-man advantage of the period when Jake Hauswirth scored on a one-timer from the left circle at 12:25. Cameron Burt then scored from the right circle at 17:43 to make it 2-2. The clubs combined for 36 penalty minutes in the opening period with Ontario outshooting Alaska 11-10.

The second period was a little less tempered as Alaska regained their lead with the frame's only goal. Tommy Mele scored on a rebound from the right circle at 14:59 to give the Aces a 3-2 lead at second intermission. The Aces outshot the Reign 12-10.

Aces captain Steve Ward scored 2:21 into the third period to extend Alaska's lead to 4-2. Matthew Clune got the Reign back within one goal at 11:03. Ontario registered 17 third period shots, and had a power play in the final minute of the game, but Mark Guggenberger and the Aces held off the Reign for the 4-3 win.

Mark Guggenberger (25-8-5) made 35 saves on 38 shots in the win. J.F. Berube (15-6-2) made 30 saves on 34 shots in the victory. The Aces went 1-5 on the power play and the Reign were 1-7. Alaska was outshot by Ontario 38-34 in the game.

The Aces now begin the 2013 Kelly Cup Playoffs with the Western Conference Quarterfinal against the expansion San Francisco Bulls next weekend. Games 1 & 2 are at Sullivan Arena on Friday, April 5th and Saturday, April 6th at 7:15pm AKT. Tickets are now available at the Aces office, Sullivan Arena Box Office, Fred Meyer locations or online at www.ticketmaster.com. All Aces games can be heard on NewsTalk 103.7FM and 750AM KFQD. For more information, please contact the Aces office at 907.258.ACES, or visit them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.



ECHL Stories from March 31, 2013


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